Construction began in late 1996 at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. in Newport NewsVA.

Christening date:March 4, 2001(Reagans 49th wedding anniversary)

Expected commissioning date:December 2002 (on plaque)

Nine Nimitz class carriers in service, seven named after Presidents: Washington, Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan.The other two are named after John C. Stennis and Carl Vinson.The USS George H.W. Bush is under construction.